Tag Archives: mobile broadband spectrum

It has been rumored that the FCC is now hunting for more mobile broadband spectrum so as to make it available to a greater number of providers within the next 10 years. As part of its efforts to make sure that 500 MHz spectrum will be made available for the mobile broadband in 10 years, 300 MHz is stated for availability within the next 5 years.

A public notice issued by the Commission has allocated 35 MHz of the Big LEO band specifically for mobile broadband use. This 35 MHz spectrum currently sits between 1675 MHz and 1710 MHz and is mainly used for satellites as well as water balloons. According to the issued notice, the comment period has been set for 28th June and seeks comments on the current usage of this spectrum. This new effort combined with the freeing up of 25 MHz of spectrum last month, has been seen as part of a much wider plan by the Commission to free up greater amounts of broadband spectrum. The previous 25 MHz was opened up in the 2.3 GHz band.

Apart from addressing this freeing up of broadband space, the former head of the FCC's national broadband plan task force, Blair Levin said, “We all have the gift of broadband and as such, in just 10 years, we will not be so worried about Title I and Title II.” This was in reply to the issue of contentious broadband reclassification that was soon going to be explored by the FCC. A new legal strategy was being implemented by FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski that would allow neutral regulations for wired as well as wireless networks. This is essentially a way for reclassifying broadband from a Title I information service to a Title II common-carrier service.

The overall expansion of the broadband mobile spectrum has been cheered on my many carriers as it will allow them greater coverage areas.